defibrillation
Cardiac rhythm restoration
Defibrillation is the medical procedure of delivering an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.
When the heart fibrillates—quivering chaotically instead of pumping—a defibrillator can jolt it back into coordinated contractions.
The procedure is used in cardiac emergencies: The paramedics performed defibrillation at the scene.
Automated shock device
- paddlesHandheld water propulsion tools
- electrodesElectrical contact points
- biphasicHaving two distinct stages
- monophasicHaving one distinct phase
joules · capacitor · automated · external · implantable · ICD · battery · portable
Loss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- ROSCHeart's spontaneous restart
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- ventricularOf heart's lower chambers
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- asystoleZero cardiac electrical activity
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
pulseless · cardioversion · myocardium · ventricles · atria · coronary · cardiology · pacemaker
Violent sudden disturbance
- synchronizedOccurring at the same time
- unsynchronizedNot occurring together
- impedanceAC circuit opposition
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
gel · skin-contact · placement · analyze · charge · deliver · recharge · stacking
AED
Automated shock device
- paddlesHandheld water propulsion tools
- electrodesElectrical contact points
- biphasicHaving two distinct stages
monophasic · joules · capacitor · automated · external · implantable · ICD · battery · portable · waveform
depolarization
Loss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- quiveringShaking slightly and rapidly
- ROSCHeart's spontaneous restart
arrhythmia
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- ventricularOf heart's lower chambers
- atrialOf upper heart chambers
- asystoleZero cardiac electrical activity
tachycardia · pulseless · cardioversion · myocardium · ventricles · atria · coronary · cardiology · pacemaker · heartbeat
shock
Violent sudden disturbance
- synchronizedOccurring at the same time
- unsynchronizedNot occurring together
- impedanceAC circuit opposition
clear · gel · skin-contact · placement · analyze · charge · deliver · recharge · stacking
paramedic
Prehospital emergency caregiver
resuscitation · 911 · survival · bystander · dispatch · triage · critical · life-saving
- emergency medicalemergency room, ambulance, EMS, ER, EMT
- Emergency MedicineEMT, emergency medicine, EMS, paramedic, paramedics
- medical caresurgery, examination, injection, prescription, medication
- emergency rescue911, CPR, ambulance, paramedic, paramedics
- medical proceduressurgery, transplant, bypass surgery, biopsy, heart surgery
- rescuerescue, rescue team, search and rescue, rescue dog, save
defibrillationchest compressions
Rhythmic pressure on sternum
CPR · cardioversion · cardiopulmonary resuscitation · cardiac massage · mechanical ventilation
defibrillationfibrillation
Rapid irregular muscle contractions
pacing · ventricular fibrillation · cardioversion · asystole · cardiac arrest
defibrillationDNR
End-of-life medical directive
do not resuscitate · withdrawal of care · comfort care · palliative care